Agenda item

Mick Sims, Licensing Manager, outlined a report in which the Committee was requested to approve the proposed Spoken English Assessment Test  requirement and procedure for new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver

applicants, with immediate effect.

The Officer advised that the Council did not currently have in place any policy or provision to ensure that new applicants for driver licences had an adequate or reasonable level of spoken English. On 22^nd July 2015, the Committee resolved that the principle for the requirement for a Mandatory English Language Competency Test for all new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers be approved.

In explaining the background to the new policy, the Officer advised that some current drivers and private hire operators had commented on the poor standard, understanding and level of spoken English language by some new drivers. The proposed test would ensure that not only would drivers be able to converse with fare paying passengers and the public in general, but their own safety would also be improved when dealing with awkward and problematic customers or situations.

A consultation on the proposed scheme was carried out between 4^th August and 4^th September 2015 with all current holders of driver and operator licences and no responses were received.  A number of other Local  Authorities who had implemented similar tests were also contacted. This had resulted in an alternative proposal for a ‘Spoken English Assessment Test’ requirement and procedure, rather than a ‘Mandatory’ English Competency Test for all new applicants. The reason behind this was that it was felt that there needed to be a criteria to establish whether new applicants would be required to undertake the Spoken English Assessment Test. 

It was highlighted that a Licensing Officer would make an initial assessment of the prospective applicant’s spoken English, to decide whether they would able to converse at a reasonable level with fare paying passengers and the public in general.  A proposed procedure had been prepared as guidance for both officers and new applicants which clearly detailed a number of requirements, including the right of the Licensing Manager to require a second assessment where necessary and details of the testing procedure.

In conclusion, the Officer advised that the proposed procedure was considered to be reasonable and proportionate in order to ensure that all new applicants were able to demonstrate an adequate and reasonable level of spoken English in carrying out their role aa a licensed driver.

Members raised number of questions in the ensuing debate including:

·  What if a person made an application and sent someone else to take the test? A photographic ID would be taken of the Applicant.

·  Had the Licensing Officer looked at the actual test? Yes- details of the Versant test and feedback were available through the Licensing Forum. The questions related to every day life and situations.

·  Had any Officers tried the test? It was confirmed that Councillors Davis, Shah and Malik would review the questions and provide feedback.

·  Would there be a drop in applications due to people moving over to ‘Uber’? The Officer explained that it was still necessary to have a licence with the local authority.

Resolved-  That the proposed Spoken English Assessment Test requirement and procedure for new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver applicants, be approved with immediate effect.